4 ms·

I moved from Hamburg, Germany to Tokyo in October of last year. I would agree with their observation and have a few points to add that I found remarkable (some

I moved from Hamburg, Germany to Tokyo in October of last year. I would agree with their observation and have a few points to add that I found remarkable (some of them are probably a little specific to Tokyo): - In larger cities there are Konbinis _everywhere_. As in: You can barely walk a block without encountering one in the more busy areas. Sometimes there are three within a 30m Radius. - Most fruits (except bananas or Kaki when in season) are pretty expensive. - Package sizes in supermarkets are often smaller that in europe, so if you are used to buying 1 or 2kg bags of frozen veggies you'll have to go to Costco. - People make due with much less space here than in europe. Tiny apartments everywhere. - Most single detached family homes in residential areas of Tokyo usually have no garden. - Even though a lot of places look like they have not changed since the 80s, they are suprisingly well maintained and clean. - There are basically no public trashbins except at some train stations or in konbinis (which often makes me feel like I need to buy something else to justify throwing stuff away). - Lots of people wear masks casually (not judging whether thats good or bad) - Food is not only cheap but usually tastes amazing. I have not even once gone anywhere (from cheap chain to upscale sushi place) an was disappointed. - You do get 日本語上手 (Nihongo Jouzu = your japanese is good) a lot even if you just say Hello in japanese. - Trains here are usually really punctual, go frequently and during rush hour are unbearably crowded. It's kind of a miracle that people don't start fighting constantly and everyone is just somehow accepting the fact that they are forcefully pushed around on the train. - The japanese people I met are are almost all incredibly nice, once you break the ice. They are so mindful of others feelings and needs and really good at reading people.

tecleandor 2y ago
Just in case any of you don't know, trash bins were removed mostly after the sarin terrorist attack in 1995: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_subway_sarin_attack https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_subway_sarin_attack
- johannes1234321 2y ago
  While that may be the trigger, the reason is that people don't expect trash cans everywhere thus are prepared to take their trash back home and in the orderly clean culture that works.
  - xoac 2y ago
    The end result is really phenomenal and the behavior change sometimes funny. I went to a EU city immediately after visiting Tokyo for the first time and after I bought some canned drink i realized that I walked with the can in my pocket for like 2km totally ignoring all of the trashcans on the way.
- CM30 2y ago
  So it's the same situation as in London, where the bins were removed after IRA bombings? Makes sense, unfortunately. Does make me wonder if people's behaviour towards litter (aka taking it home more often) would have been different had these events never happened.
  - makeitdouble 2y ago
    > Makes sense It's more of a cost reduction move. As an example Paris kept trash bins after the terrorist attacks, albeit they adapted them to the situation (either they're bomb resistant or made light and transparent) Tokyo or London could do the same, if they cared enough.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
swah 2y ago
And the smoking is similar?
mft_ 2y ago
> - Lots of people wear masks casually (not judging whether that's good or bad) It's worth mentioning that masks were in relatively common usage in Japan long before the COVID pandemic. (I have no anecdata whether usage was increased since.) Years ago I flew on (I think) JAL and was amused to receive a face-mask in the small free package of in-flight goodies provided to each person.
- glandium 2y ago
  > I have no anecdata whether usage was increased since. I do. There are a LOT more masks now than before the pandemic (caveat: I'm not in Tokyo, maybe it's different there, but probably not)
pavlov 2y ago
> "- Even though a lot of places look like they have not changed since the 80s, they are suprisingly well maintained and clean." This is also the case in America, except the "well maintained and clean" part.
ericmay 2y ago
On a recent trip to Japan one thing that stood out to me was that my wife and I were usually the only people wearing sunglasses everywhere we went.
rayiner 2y ago
> Food is not only cheap but usually tastes amazing. I have not even once gone anywhere (from cheap chain to upscale sushi place) a was disappointed. On our trip earlier this year, my wife and sister in law really got hooked on the random convenience store food.

tecleandor 2y ago

Just in case any of you don't know, trash bins were removed mostly after the sarin terrorist attack in 1995: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_subway_sarin_attack https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_subway_sarin_attack

johannes1234321 2y ago
While that may be the trigger, the reason is that people don't expect trash cans everywhere thus are prepared to take their trash back home and in the orderly clean culture that works.
- xoac 2y ago
  The end result is really phenomenal and the behavior change sometimes funny. I went to a EU city immediately after visiting Tokyo for the first time and after I bought some canned drink i realized that I walked with the can in my pocket for like 2km totally ignoring all of the trashcans on the way.
CM30 2y ago
So it's the same situation as in London, where the bins were removed after IRA bombings? Makes sense, unfortunately. Does make me wonder if people's behaviour towards litter (aka taking it home more often) would have been different had these events never happened.
- makeitdouble 2y ago
  > Makes sense It's more of a cost reduction move. As an example Paris kept trash bins after the terrorist attacks, albeit they adapted them to the situation (either they're bomb resistant or made light and transparent) Tokyo or London could do the same, if they cared enough.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

swah 2y ago

And the smoking is similar?

mft_ 2y ago

> - Lots of people wear masks casually (not judging whether that's good or bad) It's worth mentioning that masks were in relatively common usage in Japan long before the COVID pandemic. (I have no anecdata whether usage was increased since.) Years ago I flew on (I think) JAL and was amused to receive a face-mask in the small free package of in-flight goodies provided to each person.

glandium 2y ago
> I have no anecdata whether usage was increased since. I do. There are a LOT more masks now than before the pandemic (caveat: I'm not in Tokyo, maybe it's different there, but probably not)

pavlov 2y ago

> "- Even though a lot of places look like they have not changed since the 80s, they are suprisingly well maintained and clean." This is also the case in America, except the "well maintained and clean" part.

ericmay 2y ago

On a recent trip to Japan one thing that stood out to me was that my wife and I were usually the only people wearing sunglasses everywhere we went.

rayiner 2y ago

> Food is not only cheap but usually tastes amazing. I have not even once gone anywhere (from cheap chain to upscale sushi place) a was disappointed. On our trip earlier this year, my wife and sister in law really got hooked on the random convenience store food.